As the Ball Bounces: Volleyball on Comeback Trail

By Jason Chan
Contributing Writer

In this weekend’s Western Connecticut State University Tournament, the Cardinal volleyball team proved they are a team to contend with. The team won two of its four matches and claimed third place in a strong five-team tournament. The Cardinals improved each aspect of their game after a dissapointing 0-4 season debut at last weekend’s Trinity Invitational.

"We played at a much more consistent level. Before, we played with a lot of ups and downs," said Elise House ’01. "I was impressed by the play that changed so much in a week. We worked out the problems inside the team which really made a difference."

Head Coach Gale Lackey, who recorded her 200th career win, was impressed by the team’s much improved play. Lackey called this weekend a total team effort and a 100% turnaround from the weekend before.

"We played better as a team and there was better communication on the court," said Bridget Doyle ’01. "We went in with a better attitude and this effected the way we thought about each point, each game, and each match."

Wesleyan faced Western Conn State first on Friday. Despite hard play against Western Conn, their efforts were to no avail as they lost three games to two.

The Cardinals rebounded from the defeat to spike their next two opponents. In the three to one win against Connecticut, Wesleyan chalked up 37 kills while holding Connecticut to only 12. Alex deToth ’99 led the attack with 14.

In their most impressive match all season, Wesleyan dismantled Hunter in a straight game victory, 15-6, 15-3, 15-3. The Cardinals had 22 more kills than Hunter.

"Against Hunter we played consistent, strong, focused volleyball throughout the entirety of the match. There should never be a point when you let down because an opponent will never let you win," said captain Ashley Chase ’99. "You have to work, play for it, and versus Hunter we put it together to win."

On Saturday, Wesleyan faced St. Anselm in the game that would ultimately determine the champion of the tournament. The Cardinals showed their heart, fighting back from two games down to pull even by winning an exciting fourth game. Down 11-8, junior Jessica Rooney went on a run, racking up several aces and seven straight points to lead the team to a 15-11 victory. Wesleyan lost the deciding fifth game 3-15.

Although Wesleyan hit better and served better in the match, they were unable to come up with the big victory, making St. Anselm’s the tournament victors. The Cardinals would finish third having lost to Western Connecticut earlier in the tournament.

The final weekend stats indicate that the Cardinals outplayed their opponents in every portion of the game: they had 17 more aces, 44 more kills, seven more blocks, 15 less errors and better hitting efficiency.

"We were happier about being there, and we enjoyed just being able to play," commented Doyle on the difference between this weekend’s solid play and the terrible play of last weekend.

The star of the weekend was Doyle, the team’s setter, one of volleyball’s most crucial positions. Doyle successfully completed 159 of the teams 171 total assists while committing only one setting error. She also had 13 service aces for the tournament.

Lackey now feels the team is prepared for the next weekend’s 16 team M.I.T. Invitational Tournament, where, according to Lackey, all the teams are ranked and looking to make their mark.